Compliance with severe sepsis bundles and its effect on patient outcomes of severe community-acquired pneumonia in a limited resources country.

Introduction: Validation of compliance with severe sepsis bundles is still needed. The purpose of this study was to determine compliance and its outcomes in severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) patients in a limited resources country.

Material And Methods: A prospective cohort study of 212 severe CAP patients was carried out.

[Intrathoracic blood volume index as an indicator of fluid management in septic shock].

Objective: To investigate the value of intrathoracic blood volume index (ITBVI) monitoring in fluid management strategy in septic shock patients.

Methods: In a prospective study, 33 patients who were diagnosed to be suffering from septic shock in the intensive care unit (ICU) were enrolled . Seventeen patients who received pulse indicator continuous cardiac output (PiCCO) monitoring, and ITBVI was used as indicator of fluid management, were enrolled into ITBVI group; 16 patients who received traditional fluid management strategy [directed by central venous pressure (CVP)] were enrolled into control group.

[Evaluation of compliance with bundle treatment in the management of severe infection].

Objective: To evaluate compliance with bundle treatment in the management of severe infection in a tertiary hospital, aiming at analyzing clinical data in order to popularize guidelines for management of severe sepsis and septic shock.

Methods: A 14-month (from November 1, 2006 to December 31, 2007) prospective observational study of a group of 43 patients admitted to the respiratory intensive care unit in First Affiliated Hospital (tertiary hospital) of Guangzhou Medical College meeting the criteria for severe pneumonia and septic shock was carried out. Implementation of 6-hour and 24-hour bundle treatment for severe infection was divided into three phases consisting of education, trial, and application.

[Severe respiratory failure after injection of botulinum toxin: case report and review of the literature].

Objective: To describe the manifestations and management of respiratory failure caused by cosmetic injections of botulinum toxin type A (BTA).

Methods: A case of severe respiratory failure after cosmetic injections of BTA was reported and the literature was reviewed.

Results: A 24 year old female, seeking leg cosmetic therapy, received multiple point dorsal intramuscular injection of BTA (200 Units) in the legs.

[Effect of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1beta on bovine pulmonary arterial endothelial cell apoptosis].

Objective: To investigate the effect of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) on apoptosis of bovine pulmonary arterial endothelial cells (BPEC).

Methods: BPECs were incubated with TNF-alpha, IL-1beta or the combination of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta. BEPCs were also pretreated with TNF-alpha monoclonal antibody or Ac-DEVD-CHO (caspase-3 inhibitor), and followed by incubation with TNF-alpha.

[Severe acute respiratory syndrome in 78 patients: a retrospective study].

Objective: To analyze the clinical features of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and the diagnosis and treatment of the disease.

Methods: Seventy-eight patients with SARS referred to the Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Diseases (GIRD), China from December 22, 2002 to March 2003 were studied retrospectively. The data reviewed included those of clinical manifestations, laboratory investigation and roentgenology.